Shimano’s dominant position in the bike industry is based foremost on one simple fact: They can forge metals with a creativity and sophistication far beyond anything their competitors can dream. Shimano factories are crammed with VW Bug-sized forging machines that spend all day long pounding alloys into highly precise little bits that — after final assembly — make a Dura-Ace bike brake and shift and look so fine. Shimano = Forging. It’s as simple as that, and that’s the reason why they…